R&D Tax Credit – Page 10 – Swanson Reed | Specialist R&D Tax Advisors

Las Vegas exposed the limits of Google’s algorithms. But is there still hope?

Google’s dominance in the diffusion of information is a nearly an undisputed fact. But what happens when Google’s algorithms fail to provide quality, reliable information when it’s most needed?

This was the case with the Las Vegas tragedy when Google’s Top Stories featured a 4chan forum post which wrongfully accused Geary Danley as the perpetrator of the shootings. Unfortunately, the post spread across the Internet and Danley’s good name was smeared. It is common knowledge that 4chan is not a reliable source: the forum is notorious for its “trolling” personality, racist views, and willful dissemination of inaccurate information. Yet, Google’s algorithms did not filter the 4chan post. After receiving widespread criticism for circulating the 4chan post, Google issued the following response:

Unfortunately…we were briefly surfacing an inaccurate 4chan website in our Search results for a small number of queries. Within hours, the 4chan story was algorithmically replaced by relevant results. This should not have appeared for any queries, and we’ll continue to make algorithmic improvements to prevent this from happening in the future.

In the past, Google was simply a resource of information and acted as a search engine. Yet with the “Top Stories” feature which highlights trending stories, the company now also bears the responsibility of curating news. While useful in ordinary situations, Google’s algorithms have fallen short when it comes to filtering for reliable sources during breaking news like Las Vegas. In simple terms, Google’s Top Stories algorithm measures stories and posts by two variables: “freshness”, how new and trending a topic is, and “authoritativeness”, the credibility of the source. The algorithms allowed the 4chan post to surface into the mainstream because calculations weighed “freshness” over “authoritativeness”. In response to Las Vegas and other blunders, many critics have since denounced the algorithms, deploring them as “rogue” and a “failure”.

However, technically-speaking, the algorithms did not “fail”. They simply did what they were programmed to do. Perhaps there is hope to improve the algorithms. As Artificial Intelligence has shown, machines take time to learn, requiring many examples before they can perform effectively. What is needed, therefore, is an improved way for these algorithms to filter information and measure accuracy.

Are you a computer scientist or software engineer developing improved algorithms that would prevent further blunders like the Google 4chan debacle? You may be eligible for the R&D tax credit. If you would like to find out how your company could benefit from R&D Tax Credits, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

Swanson Reed regularly hosts free webinars and provides free IRS CE credits as well as CPE credits for CPA’s. For more information please visit us at www.swansonreed.com/webinars or contact your usual Swanson Reed representative.

The Dallas to Houston Bullet Train: Boosting Transportation and Economic Growth the Texan Way

Imagine a bullet train so fast it could transport you from Dallas to Houston comfortably in 90 minutes instead of driving in traffic for six hours on congested highways. Texas Central Partners is making that dream a reality with construction for the bullet train slated to begin late 2018 and early 2019 and to be completed within five years.

The bullet train would be the first of its kind in the United States. At speeds up to 200 mph, the train would carry 400 passengers to three major stops: Houston, Dallas, and the Brazos Valley Region. Nearly 14 million people travel between Houston and Dallas each year by air or by road, and congestion has significantly increased on the highways since 2012. The Interstate 45 between the two major Texan cities is also known as the second deadliest highway in the country because of its vulnerability for accidents.

Texas Central Partners is building its prototype based on Japan’s N700-I bullet train and Shinkansen system. With its 52-year record of zero fatalities, the N700 technology is known as the safest in the world. Texas’ bullet train will be built on an elevated double-track rail to further ensure public security so as not to intersect with highways and roads. The company’s External Affairs Director Holly Reed explained the state is a test for the rest of the United States: “The project is in Texas, but it’s on a national stage. It’s the right project being done the right way at the right time.”

Aside from the transportation benefit, the bullet train’s construction is expected to increase economic activity in the North Texas area. 10,000 jobs would be created from the renovation efforts alone while another 1,000 jobs would be added to the newly growing American high-speed rail industry. Costs of the project are an estimated $15 billion. Texas Central was adamant from the outset that funding for the bullet train would not come from government grants or subsidies. Instead, it would be financed by private sources. According to Reed, “This is an example of Texas doing things its way. It’s an entrepreneurial-led project being driven by free-market principles.”

Reed added that it follows the spirit of Texas innovation, “It’s a big idea, not any different than the first semiconductor that was built at TI (Texas Instrument) or when NASA put a man on the moon. This is an example of a project that has the principles that made all of those companies great.”

If you are also developing ideas and projects to improve Texas’ transit systems like the proposed bullet train, you may be eligible for the R&D tax credit which could save you up to 14% on your expenses. To find out more on how you can save money, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

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Outdated Shopping Mall Proposed as Dallas Location for Amazon’s HQ2

Last Friday, cities in North Texas submitted their bids to become the home of Amazon’s second headquarters HQ2. To set it apart from the other 50 North American cities vying for the spot, Dallas’ proposals ranged from the practical – such as highlighting the upcoming bullet train project from Dallas to Houston – to the ironic, which suggested the online retail giant take over the location of the Valley View Mall, an outdated shopping mall.

Three Dallas developers, Hillword Urban, KDC, and Crescent Real Estate, had proposed the Valley View Mall location at LBJ Freeway and Preston Road as a potential site for HQ2. With the rise of online retail giants like Amazon, the Mall has struggled to adjust to fluctuating consumer trends in the 2000s and gradually, its major department stores closed one after the other: Bloomingdale’s in 1990, Macy’s and Dillard’s in 2008, JCPenney in 2013, and finally Sears in July 2017. The prospect of Amazon’s HQ2 replacing the Mall therefore adds a symbolic, ironic flare. The Mall is near three airports: Addison, Love Field, and DFW International, making it another appealing option since Amazon had included proximity to an airport as one of its requirements for HQ2. Dallas-based architects from Omniplan have already drafted a design for a 500,000 square foot building for HQ2. If successful, Amazon would move into HQ2 by 2019 and expand the space to 8 million square feet by 2027.

Texas is a prime prospect for HQ2. 20,000 Amazon employees already work in the Lone Star State, making it the third state with the most Amazon workers, aside from California and Washington State. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos had announced last month the company’s intention to expand to a second headquarters with a commitment to invest $5 billion to the new city and create 50,000 jobs in the area. The Dallas Regional Chamber is in the process of preparing an executive summary of North Texas’ best proposals to send to Amazon for the company’s October 19 deadline.

Are you conducting R&D projects to build and improve existing buildings like Valley View Mall? You may be eligible for the R&D tax credit and can get up to 14% back on your expenses. If you would like to find out how your company could benefit from R&D Tax Credits, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

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From casino-inspired ventilation to facial recognition, Dallas Mavericks’ locker room is so high-tech, it must be from the future

The Dallas Mavericks are hosting the Milwaukee Bucks tonight for their first game of the pre-season. It’s also the first time the Mavericks get to use their new state-of-the-art locker room at the American Airlines Center. With facial recognition, customizable aromatic and lighting features, and a casino-inspired ventilation system, the Dallas team boasts a locker room unlike any other in the league.

The basketball team’s owner Mark Cuban unveiled the locker room on Saturday, September 30 to the media after three months of renovations. He explained the facility’s design drew from scientific research and the latest technology to optimize the athletic experience. A facial recognition system at the entrance of the locker room acts as a security feature, preventing any unknown visitors from entering. It also allows each player to check into the room, notifying coach Rick Carlisle when a player has arrived. As an example, Cuban mentioned Carlisle often asked for the whereabouts of player Dirk Nowitzki. Now, Carlisle can just check the system to locate Nowitzki.

Collaborating with casino designers from architecture firm Gensler, the locker room is equipped with special de-humidification ventilation and light systems. Cuban told NBC how the environment at casinos motivated people to stay energized even past their usual bedtime: “We noticed that it keeps us up, otherwise we would have been in bed at 11, but there [were] things that they did that kept us awake to sit at those blackjack tables all night long.” Adopting the same principles, the locker room uses oxygenating technology and a sophisticated light system that adjusts to different times, depending on whether it’s pre-game, game time, or regular practice.

In addition to helping players maintain energy and performance, the locker room includes luxurious amenities ensuring the athletes’ comfort. Players can request music on demand using Amazon’s voice activated Alexa sound system. Each individual locker also includes high tech USB ports, a refrigerator, TV screen, and even a shoe drawer with ventilation to air out odor-prone basketball shoes.

These features may appear “kind of crazy or off the wall,” Cuban said, “but we tried to take advantage of every bit of research that we could find that applied to improving athletic performance.”

If you are engaging in R&D to enhance the athletic experience like the Mavericks’ new locker room, you may be eligible for the R&D tax credit. To find out more on the R&D tax credit, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

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Hitachi discusses strategy in R&D initiatives around the world

Conglomerate giant, Hitachi, operates in several industries around the world and invests heavily in research and development across many sectors. As a for-profit company, Hitachi funds their own research and development, and so must strategize in choosing which R&D projects or industries to invest in to be most effective and lucrative.

According to Hitachi’s co-head of Social Innovation Business, Patrik Sjoestedt, Hitachi’s strategy is to address major issues that have the biggest affect on society. These issues and their affects vary greatly by region, but typically these projects tackle issues such as climate change, water management and energy use. Hitachi addresses modern day problems with technology to create solutions for society, such as developing sensors to deal with traffic congestion.

Determining which issues to invest R&D in is heavily influenced by region. For example, in Southeast Asia, development is heavy as cities are being built up, and so importance of research and development is on issues such as energy efficiency and security. Another example exists in Germany, where manufacturing is one of the biggest industries. Here, R&D would aim to solve issues resulting in reducing waste, optimizing energy, managing pollution and increasing overall efficiency. Similarly, in cities such as London and New York, transport (including transport of goods) is a major contributor to issues like pollution and congestion. R&D invested in transportation would aim to reduce emissions and optimize transport loads, perhaps through technologies such as self-driving vehicles.

Hitachi will continue innovating to solve major issues faced around the world today through R&D. The R&D tax credit is another strategy available to Hitachi any other companies developing new and improved products and processes, allowing a credit of up to 14% of eligible spending.

If you would like to find out how your company could benefit from Research and Development Tax Credits, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today.

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Fort Worth in Bidding War to Win Next Spot for $5 Billion Investment in New Amazon Headquarters

Amazon is always coming up with something new, whether it is Amazon Prime, Amazon TV, or now a flying airship warehouse to deliver products to customers. This new invention is like something we have never seen before and is completely new technology. Amazon is able to claim research and development (R&D) tax credits due to the highly technological nature of this product. Companies who are experimenting and testing new products, procedures etc., are eligible for R&D tax credits.

Amazon will be investing $5 billion dollars into a new headquarter building that they are looking to build in the U.S., Fort Worth (FW) is on their list of top contenders. Brendan Gengelbach, the executive president at the FW Chamber of Commerce says he has already spoken with state officials and real estate reps about the possibility of Amazon opening up their new headquarters.

Amazon will bring billions of dollars in investments for FW if this is to happen. Amazon has already said that they are looking into the possibility of tax incentives for this project. If your company is experimenting with new products or technologies, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today to check your eligibility.

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Automated Vehicles- The Next Big Thing for R&D in Fort-Worth Region

Self-driving cars are set to be the next big thing in Texas, specifically in the Forth Worth region as congestion is a major issue. The U.S. ranks 16th overall for congestion, making the market for self-driving cars needed. The development of this product is something that is completely new and innovative. It requires experimentation in regards to safety, maintenance, etc. Research and development (R&D) tax credits is something that will be very useful in this industry.

Thomas Bamonte, the automated vehicles program manager is a team of one in the Fort-Worth region and is looking into the legality of having more vehicles on roads but increasing traffic flow at the same time with self-driving cars. Bamonte believes that before self-driving cars hit the market, there has to be a few changes. The focus may change from cement and road structure to back-end computing systems, digital technology within signs, traffic lights etc. R&D tax credits will benefit this industry due to the highly technological changes that will need to happen.

The changes that will need to happen to make the autonomous vehicle industry flourish are ongoing and still in the design stages. If your company is experimenting with new products or technologies contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today.

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Thermal Energy Storage Market Expected to Progress Immensely Between 2017-2015

The thermal energy storage market is expected to grow due to the rise in demand of thermal energy. Solar and wind energy can be conducted on the same site but the storage of the energy made is the issue. The high cost of the storage is the only downfall to this innovation. Developed countries like the U.S. have an advantage as they are able to claim research and development (R&D) tax credits during the process of the development of this technology.

The adverse effects of greenhouse gases has helped the thermal energy storage market become more of a need. The issue with renewable energy is that there is not enough space to store the energy that is being made. Solar and wind energy are available infrequently meaning that the thermal energy storage unit is needed to make the energy usable and the creation of energy worthwhile.

The downfall of this market is the high cost of the development and installation of this product. Companies in the U.S. have the opportunity to apply for R&D tax credits in order to aid in the cost of this new technology with up to 14% in credit. If your company is improving or developing a new product, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today to check your eligibility.

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Electric Scooter Transportation On The Rise

By the end of 2017 the electric scooter market is expected to be valued at more than $8B with the market then jumping 3.9% to $12B by the end of 2027. Research and development (R&D) is being conducted in order to find the best hybrid scooter, and the most efficient way to charge the scooters, taking it from hours to minutes.

Charging stations producing a direct current need to be readily available, allowing scooters to be charged in less than an hour. Engineers are currently trying to find a way to provide direct current as opposed to alternating current being sourced from overhead grid lines. The nature of this project is eligible for R&D due to the experimentation relying on the engineering of these charging stations, and the increased performance of this transportation.

The sales of electric scooters made up 2% of the total number sold worldwide in 2015. In order for this to change these charging stations need to be readily available. With the help of R&D Tax Credits this can happen.

If you would like to check your eligibility for R&D, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today.

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R&D Tax Credit Opportunities within the 3D Printing Industry

3D printing is expected to grow more than 31% every year, surpassing $1.4 billion in revenue in the U.S. alone. Startup businesses have the opportunity to apply for research and development (R&D) tax credits if they are producing new or improved products or services, including the materials and software associated with 3D printing.

The most difficult task for a startup is deciding which business model to use, including their manufacturing model. Startups are tending to favour 3D printed products, as they are more responsive than traditional manufacturing methods – being readily customizable, with a fast turnaround time and low production costs. The large investment in 3D printing has resulted in huge progress over the recent years. However, it is widely recognized that there is still considerable progress to be made. The significant research and experimentation being undertaken in this industry means it is a prime candidate for R&D tax funding.

All businesses have the opportunity to apply for the R&D Tax Credit, which is backed by both the Federal and State governments. Now is the time for 3D printing businesses to take advantage of the possible 14% R&D Tax Credit. If your company is experimenting with new technology or products, contact a Swanson Reed R&D Tax Advisor today to see if you are eligible to claim.

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